There’s a common belief that if you take a case of chilled beer, allow it to soften up, and then place it back in the freezer to cool, the beer will “skunk.” Skunking refers to the occurrence of an otherwise delicious beverage tasting precisely like it sounds: skunky: with a funky, bitter flavor. This is a legend.
Skunking is not affected by temperature. When a compound in hops is subjected to direct sunshine, bottled beer can become skunked. Beer enthusiasts refer to this as “lightstruck.”
How about strong seltzer? For two major reasons, hard seltzer cannot be skunked or lightstruck:
- Almost no hops are used in strong seltzers.
- Almost all strong seltzers come in cans rather than bottles.
You don’t have to worry about that funky skunk flavor unless you discover an unusual small-batch seltzer that uses hops and keeps their seltzer in a light or transparent glass container.
That doesn’t mean your hard seltzer will stay fresh indefinitely. Here’s everything you need to know about preserving the flavor of your hard seltzer.
Table of Contents
How Long Does Hard Seltzer Last?
Yes! Hard seltzer does have an expiration date.
The majority of strong seltzers are prepared with fermented cane sugar. The flavor and freshness of a strong seltzer will diminish over time, just like beer or any other fermented beverage.
If your hard seltzer contains vodka or another alcohol, don’t expect it to last as long as a container of vodka (typically 10 to 20 years!). The other ingredients—seltzer water, citrus juice, and so on—will expire long before a decade has passed.
This is why hard seltzer manufacturers include a date on their cans, usually with a “best by” or “best before” sticker. This is the last date on which they can confidently state that their product will still taste its finest. Each company and lot will be different but anticipate a year after manufacturing.
How Long Can You Keep An Open Hard Seltzer?
An uncovered hard seltzer will only last a couple of hours.
Putting an uncovered hard seltzer in the freezer can help it last longer. Furthermore, it will help keep germs away from the sugar. So, if you’re going to be without your open seltzer for a while, locate a freezer.
Even in ideal circumstances, an open hard seltzer will not last more than a day in the freezer. So sip it or ladle it down. (the drain, that is.) Let’s face it: a flat, strong seltzer is just one step away from cough medicine.
How Can You Tell If A White Claw, Truly, Or High Noon Hard Seltzer Is Old?
The date marked on the can indicates whether a White Claw, Truly, or High Noon hard seltzer is outdated.
According to White Claw, their goods are “best enjoyed” up to a year after production. They even have a useful little chart that will show you when your bubbly drink was prepared.
You can usually consume hard seltzer after the expiry date, but be cautious. If there is any leaking, or if you open the can and something scents or tastes off, presume your hard seltzer has expired and go purchase a new pack. Look for signs that the can itself has been harmed, such as:
These could indicate that the hard seltzer’s packaging has failed and germs have infiltrated the can. It may not be safe to consume at that time.
Is it true that Truly, White Claw, and High Noon Hard Seltzers get skunked if they are not refrigerated or left open overnight?
If a fresh Truly, White Claw, or High Noon hard seltzer is not chilled overnight, it will not get skunked. You can keep a hard seltzer out of the fridge for the duration of its “best by” date, cool it off the morning you want to consume it, and sip it that afternoon.
Hard seltzer, on the other hand, will not taste fine the next day if left uncovered overnight, even if refrigerated. It’s not “skunked,” but it’s still reasonably flat.
Can Hard Seltzer go from cold to warm to cold again?
Yes! A hard seltzer can go from chilly to heated to icy again. In reality, you may observe a display of unrefrigerated hard seltzer at your local supermarket. This is because weather changes have no effect on their flavor.
Having said that, you might not want your seltzer to get too heated. There’s a difference between resting in a cold, dark cupboard in your house and reclining in your vehicle on a hot summer day. While it may not completely destroy the seltzer, it will definitely heat the sugar and may decrease flavor.
The idea is that if you leave your hard seltzer out on the counter overnight, or if there isn’t enough space in the fridge and you put it on a shelf, it will still be fine when you’re ready to drink it.
What Happens When You Drink Old Hard Seltzer?
Probably just some sadness. The main issue with consuming outdated hard seltzer is that it may not taste delicious.
You should not be concerned if you inadvertently consumed a sealed, expired hard seltzer. It’s not like a sour drink of milk that can keep you in the toilet all night. This is mostly due to a lack of novelty. You are far more likely to feel awful the next day as a result of how many hard seltzers you consumed than of their expiry date.
So, here’s the thing with hard seltzers: keep your White Claw, Truly, or High Moon at room temperature or cold. It’s not going to get skunked either way. When you’re ready to consume it, cool it before serving. Pro tip: an hour in the fridge or nine hours in the refrigerator provides the perfect chilling temperature.
Catherine Previti is a seasoned wine enthusiast with over 8 years of experience in wine tasting and beverage curation. Holding a degree in Viticulture and Enology, she shares expert insights on Vedrinks.com, helping readers navigate the world of wine with confidence. Connect with Catherine on Instagram.
